New 49er Antoine Bethea has super feeling about team

SANTA CLARA -- Safety Antoine Bethea knows what it's like to both win and lose a Super Bowl, and his pressing goal is to get back on that winning side with the 49ers.

"Of course, sitting here, I wish I had two Super Bowl rings instead of one," said Bethea, a rookie starter in 2006 for the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. "It's one reason I'm here in San Fran: a great opportunity to get another ring."

Bethea spoke on a conference call Wednesday after formally signing a four-year deal, which is worth $21 million with $9.5 million in guarantees.

While the 49ers confirmed cornerback Eric Wright re-signed on a one-year deal, no new moves were made Wednesday. Tuesday's trades for quarterback Blaine Gabbert and offensive tackle Jonathan Martin are pending physicals, and coach Jim Harbaugh said he's "very excited" about Martin's "new chapter."

Bethea is poised to be the 49ers' newest starter, replacing Donte Whitner, who signed with the Cleveland Browns (four years, $28 million, with $13 million guaranteed).

A two-time Pro Bowler, Bethea was midway through his Colts tenure when he endured Super Bowl defeat four years ago. Such agony of defeat is fresher to the 49ers, 13 months after they lost 34-31 in the Super Bowl to the Baltimore Ravens.

"Antoine is a durable, experienced player who has competed at a high level throughout his career," general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement.

Bethea's durability is reflected in that he's played in 96 consecutive games, the second-longest streak among active safeties behind Detroit Lions special-teams ace John Wendling (110).

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"This time during the offseason is one of the most important times to get your body in shape," Bethea said. "It's a tough game, a rough game. From time to time, you have nagging injuries you have to fight through."

Bethea said he met with Harbaugh -- "he seems like a great guy" -- on Tuesday upon agreeing to his deal, and he dined with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. "He seems like a cool, funny guy," Bethea said of Fangio. "We had a great time laughing, joking and talking a little about football."

Not discussed, however, was what Bethea's responsibilities will entail, though his veteran presence surely will help groom fellow safety Eric Reid, whom Bethea is excited to meet.

Bethea committed no penalties all season, which stands in stark contrast to the five unnecessary-roughness calls Whitner drew.

"You try to play the game clean," Bethea said. "With some of the new rules, it's kind of tough."

Last November, Bethea won the Colts' "Man of The Year" award for his community service and leadership. Upon completing his college degree at Howard University in 2011, he started his Safe Coverage Foundation to help inner-city students obtain higher education.

"He has proven to be a man of high character and is a welcome addition to our team and the Bay Area community," Baalke said.

Harbaugh hopes the 49ers' acquisition of Martin will be a "win-win" after Tuesday's trade with the Miami Dolphins. Martin played under Harbaugh at Stanford before starting his NFL career in 2012 with the Dolphins. Martin's playing days with Miami came to a stunning end in late October when he left the team and exposed a bullying environment.

"Because of my relationship recruiting Jonathan, and (coaching) Jonathan for three years at Stanford, I'm confident he will be committed to the mission and the organization, and very excited about it," Harbaugh said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "I believe everybody deserves an Etch-A-Sketch opportunity and an opportunity to start a new chapter."

Martin is expected to take his physical Thursday, and if he makes the opening-day roster, the 49ers will send a 2015 seventh-round draft pick to the Dolphins, ESPN reported.

"The goal for this transaction is a win-win," Harbaugh said. "It's a great opportunity for Jon to demonstrate to the football world that he's a football player and worthy of his high draft status. It's a great opportunity for our organization to add a (2012) second-round pick into our organization."

Running back Anthony Dixon flew to Tennessee on Wednesday to meet with the Titans.